Philodendron Autumn Queen - Watch the Colours Transform Before Your Eyes!
If you're searching for a philodendron that delivers absolutely jaw-dropping colour without the fuss, meet the spectacular Philodendron Autumn Queen! This stunning climber lives up to its regal name with foliage that literally changes colour as it matures, creating the most incredible living display of autumn hues right in your home. New leaves emerge in intense auburn and brilliant orange tones, slowly transitioning through gorgeous shades of yellow before finally settling into deep, rich green - every single leaf is at a different stage, creating this amazing multi-coloured effect!
Also known as Orange Marmalade Philodendron or Quad Colour Philodendron, this gorgeous variety is actually surprisingly easy to care for despite its exotic appearance! Native to the tropical regions of South America, particularly Brazil, this beauty brings that vibrant jungle energy into Australian homes without demanding complicated care routines. It's a fast-growing climber that absolutely loves to show off, rewarding you with stunning new growth that keeps your plant looking dynamic and ever-changing!
What makes this philodendron absolutely brilliant for Australian plant lovers is its compact, upright growth habit - perfect for our smaller living spaces! Give it a grow pole or trellis to climb (we absolutely love Grow Vertical Propsticks for this beauty!), and watch it reach for the sky while displaying those spectacular autumn colours. The leaves grow quite long and slender, creating this elegant cascading effect as your plant matures. Every single leaf displays its own unique combination of orange, yellow, and green - no two are exactly the same!
Why Choose Philodendron Autumn Queen for Your Collection?
- Absolutely Spectacular Colour Transformation: New leaves emerge in stunning auburn and orange, transitioning through yellow to green - it's like having autumn happening year-round in your home!
- Fast-Growing Showstopper: This vigorous climber rewards you with regular new growth, so you're constantly seeing those amazing colour changes and beautiful new leaves unfurling!
- Easy Care with Stunning Results: Ultra hardy and low maintenance despite looking incredibly exotic - perfect for building confidence with more unusual plants!
- Compact Space-Efficient Growth: Upright climbing habit makes it perfect for Australian apartments and smaller homes - grows up, not out!
- Rare Collector's Appeal: Not your typical green philodendron! This variety stands out instantly with those incredible mottled orange and yellow tones!
Care Instructions for Philodendron Autumn Queen in Australian Conditions
Light Requirements
Your Philodendron Autumn Queen absolutely thrives in bright indirect light, and this is the secret to getting those most spectacular autumn colours! The brighter the light (without direct scorching sun), the more intense and vibrant those orange and yellow tones will be. Position it near a bright window where it receives lovely filtered light throughout the day - some gentle direct morning sun is perfectly fine and actually appreciated!
While it can tolerate medium light conditions and will still grow happily, you might notice the colours aren't quite as dramatic and new growth may come in more green than orange. If you want that stunning multi-coloured display at its absolute best, bright indirect light is key! During our Australian winter when natural light levels drop, consider supplementing with a grow light to keep those colours popping and growth vigorous!
Watering
It's important to only water when it suits the environment your plant is living in - everyone's home is different! Your Philodendron Autumn Queen appreciates consistent moisture during the growing season but definitely doesn't want to sit in soggy soil. Allow the top 2-5cm of soil to dry out between waterings, then water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom of the pot.
The wonderful thing about this philodendron is that it's quite forgiving! In a chunky, well-draining aroid mix (which is absolutely what we recommend!), you'll likely water more frequently than in a finer, moisture-retentive mix. During our warm Australian growing season (September through March), you might find yourself watering weekly or even twice weekly when it's actively putting out new growth. In winter, this can stretch to every 10-14 days as growth slows.
Watch for slight leaf drooping as your plant's way of saying it's getting thirsty - it will perk right back up beautifully after a good drink! The key is letting the soil come close to drying out without completely drying out the entire root ball.
Temperature
Your Philodendron Autumn Queen loves typical Australian indoor temperatures of 18-26°C, making it absolutely perfect for our climate! As a tropical plant from Brazil, it appreciates warmth and will reward you with faster growth during our warm summers. Keep it away from cold drafts, air conditioning vents, and sudden temperature changes. During our mild Australian winters, just ensure temperatures don't drop below 15°C and your plant will continue looking spectacular!
Humidity
This beauty appreciates moderate to high humidity (50-70%) and will absolutely show its appreciation with bigger, more vibrant leaves! While it can adapt to average household humidity, you'll see the most spectacular growth and colour when you provide a bit of extra moisture in the air. Group it together with other tropical plants to create lovely natural humidity pockets - this works brilliantly and benefits your entire collection!
If you notice leaf edges browning slightly or new leaves getting a bit crispy, that's your plant's gentle hint that it would appreciate more humidity. A small humidifier nearby works wonders, especially during our dry Australian winter months when indoor heating runs. The more humidity you can provide, the faster and more lush the growth will be!
Potting Medium
Your Philodendron Autumn Queen absolutely loves a chunky, well-draining aroid mix that allows its roots to breathe while retaining just enough moisture! We absolutely recommend using our signature Growing Grounds Ultimate Aroid Mix, which combines orchid bark, perlite, coco coir, coco chips, vermiculite and charcoal - it provides the perfect balance this beauty craves!
The chunky texture is essential for preventing root rot (which philodendrons can be sensitive to) while ensuring those roots get plenty of oxygen. Avoid heavy, compacted soils that stay waterlogged - this plant wants its roots to have excellent air circulation. When repotting (which you'll likely need to do annually with this fast grower!), choose a pot just 5cm larger than the current one with excellent drainage holes.
Climbing Support
As a natural climber, your Philodendron Autumn Queen will absolutely thrive when given something to climb! We highly recommend providing a Grow Vertical Propstick or moss pole to support its upward growth. When allowed to climb, you'll notice the leaves grow larger and the colours become even more vibrant - it's how this plant grows in nature, scrambling up trees in the Brazilian rainforest!
Install the support early while your plant is young, and gently encourage new growth to attach to it. As your plant climbs, those stunning orange and yellow leaves will create this incredible cascading display of autumn colours! The compact, upright growth habit makes it perfect for maximizing vertical space in Australian homes.
Fertilising
Keep your Philodendron Autumn Queen growing vigorously and producing those spectacular colourful leaves with regular feeding! We recommend using Growth Technology Foliage Focus at every watering - simply add 3-5ml per litre of water. This professional-grade formula provides all 12 essential minerals your philodendron needs for explosive growth and maintains those stunning autumn colours beautifully!
For even more impressive root development and overall plant vigour, add Growth Technology Rootzone every 2-4 weeks at 1ml per litre in conjunction with your regular fertiliser. This powerful combination encourages robust root systems and supports all that fast, healthy growth! During our warm Australian growing season when your plant is actively producing new leaves, this consistent nutrition will fuel absolutely spectacular results!
Seasonal Care in Australia
Spring (September-November): This is when your Philodendron Autumn Queen absolutely explodes with growth! You'll see gorgeous new leaves unfurling regularly in those stunning auburn and orange tones. Increase watering frequency as temperatures warm up and maintain consistent fertilising. Spring is also the perfect time for any repotting or pruning - your plant will recover quickly and reward you with vigorous new growth!
Summer (December-February): Your plant absolutely loves our bright Australian summer light and warmth! This is peak growing season, so expect to water more frequently and see the most dramatic colour displays. Keep up with regular fertilising to support all that spectacular new foliage. You might see a new leaf every week or two during this period - it's absolutely thrilling!
Autumn (March-May): As temperatures begin to moderate, you'll notice growth starting to slow gradually. Reduce watering frequency slightly and continue with regular fertiliser. Interestingly, this is when your plant's name really makes sense - as growth slows, you get to appreciate all those different stages of leaf colour creating that stunning autumn palette!
Winter (June-August): Your Philodendron Autumn Queen takes a well-deserved rest during our cooler months. Reduce watering significantly, allowing the soil to dry out more between waterings, and continue with occasional fertiliser at slightly reduced strength. Growth will slow considerably, but those colourful leaves continue looking absolutely gorgeous all winter long!
Perfect For...
- Colour-Hungry Plant Parents: If you're craving something more vibrant than typical green foliage, this delivers spectacular autumn tones year-round!
- Small Space Gardeners: Compact upright growth habit with vertical climbing makes it perfect for Australian apartments and smaller homes!
- Beginner Plant Enthusiasts: Easy care despite exotic appearance - builds confidence while delivering stunning visual rewards!
- Fast Growth Lovers: Vigorous grower that constantly produces new leaves, so you're always seeing that exciting colour transformation!
- Philodendron Collectors: Rare variety that stands out instantly from typical green philodendrons - guaranteed conversation starter!
- Tropical Jungle Vibes: Brings that vibrant Brazilian rainforest energy into Australian homes with minimal fuss!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I maintain those stunning orange and yellow colours?
Bright indirect light is absolutely key to getting the most spectacular colour display! The brighter the light (without direct scorching sun), the more intense those auburn, orange, and yellow tones will be on new growth. If new leaves are coming in more green than orange, simply move your plant to a brighter location. The colour transformation is completely natural - each leaf starts orange and gradually transitions to yellow, then green as it matures. This creates that gorgeous multi-coloured effect where every leaf is at a different stage! Continue with regular fertilising using Growth Technology Foliage Focus to support healthy, vibrant foliage production!
Does Philodendron Autumn Queen need a climbing support?
While not absolutely essential, providing a climbing support will absolutely bring out the best in this beauty! In nature, these philodendrons climb up trees, and when you give them something to climb on, they reward you with larger leaves, more vibrant colours, and faster growth. We highly recommend installing a Grow Vertical Propstick or moss pole - it's a game-changer! Your plant will develop that gorgeous upright habit perfect for small spaces, and you'll notice the leaves grow significantly larger when allowed to climb. Install the support early and gently encourage new growth to attach as it develops!
How fast does Philodendron Autumn Queen grow?
This is one of the faster-growing philodendrons, which is absolutely brilliant because you get to see those stunning colour transformations happening regularly! During our warm Australian growing season (September through March), you can expect a new leaf every 1-2 weeks when conditions are optimal. Each new leaf emerges in that spectacular auburn-orange colour, creating constant visual interest as different leaves are at different stages of their colour journey. With bright light, consistent moisture, and regular fertilising, this vigorous grower will quickly develop into a stunning specimen that's constantly changing and evolving!
Is Philodendron Autumn Queen suitable for Australian climates?
Absolutely yes! This Brazilian native absolutely thrives in Australian indoor conditions. Our moderate temperatures and bright natural light are perfect for bringing out those spectacular autumn colours. It handles our warm summers brilliantly (just protect from harsh afternoon sun), and continues looking gorgeous through our mild winters. The humidity levels in most Australian homes are adequate, though it appreciates extra humidity if you can provide it - especially in drier regions or during winter when heating runs. This is honestly one of the most rewarding philodendrons for Australian conditions - fast-growing, forgiving, and delivering constant visual drama with those ever-changing colours. Perfect for plant lovers from Sydney to Brisbane to Melbourne!
Every plant we offer is carefully selected from our premium nursery stock and personally inspected for quality and health before dispatch, ensuring you receive a beautiful specimen ready to thrive in your Australian collection!
Please Note: As living plants, each specimen is unique and may vary in size, leaf count, and exact appearance from the images shown. The photos are representative examples of the quality and characteristics you can expect, but natural variations in shape, colour, and growth patterns make every plant one-of-a-kind. This individuality is part of what makes growing plants so special!
If you are from a quarantine restricted state & would like to purchase this plant we recommend using Paradise Distributors concierge service, make sure to contact them prior to purchasing: info@rareplants.net.au
Shipping & Greenhouse Collection
Let's Talk About How Your Plants Get to You!
Alright, so here's the deal with shipping - we try our best to send all our plants potted and ready to go, but sometimes due to larger orders or when we're moving through some big changes, we'll send some plants semi-bare rooted. If you haven't come across this before, it basically means we carefully remove a bunch of the soil before packing them up. I know that might sound a bit scary if you've never ordered plants online before, but trust me, this is actually a really smart way to do it! The main reason we do this is because it creates so much more room in the box, which means we can fit way more plants in one shipment for you. More plants in one box = more green goodness arriving at your door at once! The plants honestly handle the journey better without all that heavy, wet soil sloshing around too. Just make sure you've got some fresh potting mix ready to go when your green babies arrive, because they'll want to get tucked into their new home pretty quickly!
Now, let's chat about what actually fits in our boxes. We can safely fit about 4-6 plants in one box, or if you're stocking up on supplies, one box can hold 3 bags of medium plus 1L of Growth Technology. We really don't recommend adding heavy items with your plants though - it just puts extra stress on your precious plants during transit and limits how many we can fit. If your order ends up being heavier than our standard box can handle, we'll reach out to you about additional postage fees. We're always transparent about costs, no sneaky surprises!
When Does Everything Ship Out?
Here's how our timeline works - we process and ship orders the week after you place them. So if you order on a Tuesday, your plants will get packed and sent out sometime the following week. We ship Monday through Friday (because let's be real, we all need weekends to recharge!), and we're aiming to get your order out within 4-6 business days of processing. Sometimes things take a tiny bit longer because we're a small but mighty team, and we take absolute care in making sure every single plant is packed perfectly. Like, we're talking individual attention for each plant here. We don't rush this stuff!
Once your order ships, you'll get an email with your tracking number. If you haven't received that tracking email, it just means we're still working on your order - it hasn't left us yet. Please be patient with us! We promise we're working as fast as we can while still making sure everything is done right. We pack orders in chronological order to keep things fair for everyone, so no one's getting special treatment or jumping the queue. First come, first served, that's how we roll!
The Journey to Your Doorstep
All our orders ship with Australia Post, and here's something cool - they operate 24/7! That means even if your order gets sent out on a Friday afternoon, it's still making its way to you over the weekend. The postal system doesn't sleep, and honestly, that's pretty amazing for getting plants to you quickly. You can generally expect your plants to arrive within 2-7 days after we ship them, depending on where you are in Australia. Metro areas tend to be quicker, regional spots might take the full week, but either way, your tracking number will keep you in the loop the whole time.
And here's the thing that always blows people's minds - our plants are absolute troopers. We've tested this extensively, and they can genuinely survive in their boxes for up to three weeks if needed. Obviously we don't want them sitting around that long, but life happens, mail gets delayed sometimes, and we want you to know that your plants are prepped and ready to handle whatever the postal system throws at them. While we do our best to avoid delays, occasional unforeseen circumstances may slightly impact delivery times, but rest assured, your plants are packed with extra care and are tougher than you think!
Quarantine States (WA, NT, TAS)
We currently only ship directly to non-quarantine states. Unfortunately, biosecurity restrictions make it pretty complicated to send plants to Western Australia, Northern Territory, and Tasmania. But don't worry, we've got a solution for you! If you're from a quarantine restricted state and would like to purchase plants from us, we recommend using Paradise Distributors' concierge service. They're absolute legends and can handle all the biosecurity paperwork and requirements for you. Make sure to contact them prior to purchasing so they can give you all the details and help you out: info@rareplants.net.au
Come Visit the Greenhouse! (Rockdale)
If you're local or just love the idea of picking up your order in person, we've got you covered! Greenhouse collection from our Rockdale location is available the same week you make your purchase. Our opening hours are always changing, so make sure to check booking availability on our 'Visit the Greenhouse' page before purchasing. After you've paid for your order, just head over and book a time slot that works for you. You'll get to pick up your plants AND have a wander through the greenhouse while you're here, which honestly is such a vibe. Just please wear a mask if you're feeling unwell - it's a small space and we want to keep everyone safe and healthy!
Catch Us at Markets!
We do regular markets around Sydney and would love to meet you in person! If you'd prefer to skip shipping altogether and grab your order at one of our market stalls, just email us at info@growinggroundsaustralia.com and we can arrange collection at an upcoming market. It's a great way to chat plants face-to-face, see what else we've got on the day, and save on postage!
Questions? We're Here for You!
If you've got any questions about shipping, tracking, or literally anything else, please don't hesitate to contact us at info@growinggroundsaustralia.com. We love chatting with you guys and we're always happy to help troubleshoot, answer questions, or just talk plants!
Much love from the GG's Team 🌱
